The Council of Europe notes Kazakhstan's progress in the field of democracy and human rights

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a Declaration positively noting Kazakhstan's progress in democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The document «Kazakhstan: the way forward democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law» (No. 809 by 14.05.2025 year)
was signed by 22 representatives of national parliaments from several EU countries and various PACE political groups, which indicates broad international solidarity regarding the recognition of Kazakhstan's reforms.

The signing of the document can also be considered as a success of Kazakh diplomacy.

Thus, the PACE members stated that "while emphasizing Kazakhstan's dedication to democratic reforms and strengthening human rights mechanisms, we underscore the country’s commitments to continue its political and economic modernisation aimed at
building a just and fair Kazakhstan based on inclusivity, transparency and the rule of law.

-We take note with satisfaction that Kazakhstan has instituted a zero-tolerance policy on violence against women and children, ill-treatment and corruption, while strengthening its national preventive mechanisms against torture.

Recognising the key role of the civil society in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, we commend Kazakhstan’s commitment to empowering civil society aimed at fostering regional co-operation, good governance and inclusive development.

We consider Kazakhstan as a key partner in the region and encourage further co-operation built on the achievements of interactions since 2014, in particular by encouraging its accession to Council of Europe conventions and initiating co-operation in new priority areas covered by the national reforms’ agenda.

We take note of the unique way Kazakhstan promotes inter-ethnic harmony and national unity. The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan is playing a key role in shaping Kazakhstan’s model of tolerance and maintaining national unity and social balance.

It is worth to note that recently Kazakhstan has been actively cooperating with the Council of Europe on a relatively wide range of issues, based on the «The Neighbourhood Co-operation Priorities with Kazakhstan 2024-2027».

In May, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset visited the capital of Kazakhstan, where he met with the leadership of the Republic.

The Secretary General of the CoE also stressed that Kazakhstan is a long-standing and leading partner of Central Asia in the framework of the Council of Europe's policy towards neighboring regions.

A.Berset praised Kazakhstan for the progress achieved in constitutional and political reforms, stressed that Kazakhstan is already a party to four conventions of the Council of Europe and was invited to join other key treaties on violence against women, corruption, and cybercrime.

"In the face of the current crisis, which no country or organization can handle alone, a global strategy to protect the rule of law in our democracies is indispensable, and multilateralism and cooperation should be at the heart of this strategy," said A.Berset in Astana.

Kazakhstan has been cooperating with the Council of Europe (CoE) and its structures since 1997. Not being a member of the Council, Kazakhstan has the opportunity to participate in its partial expanded agreements, which allow countries and international organizations not members of the Council to work together with member states on issues of interest to them.

Kazakhstan participates in two partial agreements of the Council of Europe - the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission, since 1998 observer status, since 2012 full member) and the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO, since 2020 full member).

Kazakhstan is a party to four CoE conventions:
On the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region - No. 165 (01.02.1999);
European Cultural Convention - No. 018 (05.03.2010);
On laundering, identification, seizure and confiscation of proceeds from crime - No. 141 (01.01.2015);
On mutual administrative assistance in the tax matters - No. 127 (08.04.2015).

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